Back in 2014 then SA premier Jay Weatherill proposed merging South Australia’s universities, which the three VCs Michael Barber (Flinders U), Warren Bebbington (UniAdelaide) and David Lloyd (UniSA) did not think was much of an idea (CMM August 20 2014).

But what Professor Lloyd did say then is on-song with what he is doing now. “It is always worth considering how the university sector increases cooperation, by mergers or other partnerships, but we need to be clear about the expected benefits and have a clear outcome in mind. We need to be careful to not assume that any merger will of itself automatically deliver improved outcomes for students, business or the community.”